Steam



Jan. 27, 1931. w r 1,790,305

STEAM PURIFIER Filed Dec. 3," 1924 These objects and the specific character of the Patented Jan. 27, 1931 7 UNITED STATES. PATENT" oFFlcs A J 1 CHARLES GILBERT H WLEY, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIs, AssIGNo To cE'NrRIFIx oon- PORATION, F CLEVELAND, OHIO, A QQR PORATION OF OHIO VSTEAM ronrrrna Application filed December 3, 1924. Serial No. 753,631. J

In operating steam boilers and in like processes of evaporation'and distillation, it isassumed' and desired that the steam or other vapor evolved shall leave the steam or vapor drum in a pure state, that is, free from. globules of liquidand particles of solid mattenij As a rulethe conditions controlling and modifying the operation in at least some measure defeat this primary expectation of 10, purpose with the resultthat thevapor leavesthe drum in an impure state. The present in vention comprises a rotation imparting device; that is a device that does not itself move or rotate, but nevertheless induces a strong centrifugal action within the stream of escaping steam or other vapor, whereby the foreign substances are removed from the fluid to be later returned to the body of liquidundergoing evaporation ordischarged externally if'it such substances.

such processes of purification and to provide a simple and reliable device or-apparatus for the performance of the perfected" process.

invention will detail. 'The invention will be readily understood on presently appear in further referenceto the drawings that form'part of:

extending bracketsojr arms, 11. v See Figs. 2

this specification, in which:

Fig. 1 is a-vertical cross-section of a steam of the boiler. shell 1, passing through the slotpurifying device embodying this invention.- F ig. 2is a horizontal section substantially on" the line of Fig. 1. Fig. is a horizontal" section on the line.y.y.of Fig.1. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal elevation of the'device withthe boiler drum, or the like, equipped with steam boiler shell shown in section. as on the line 2&2 of Fig. 1. Fig.5;isanenlarged sectionaldetional detail taken fromthe line 'w of Fig. 6. Fig. 8illustrates a furthermodifiedform of the invention, and Fig. 9 is 'a horizontal section of the tuyeremember, ason the line o 'vofFig8. V,

' Referring to Fig. 1, 1 represents the pressure drum, 2 the liquid level therein, 3 the outlet opening and 4:the nozzlep'roper. It will is desired to rid the boiler; or'evaporator-jof" tail taken;from'jFig .--1 Fig. 6.illustrates a simplified form of the device. i Fig. 7 is a sec be understood that the ofl'take pipe 4' joins the nozzle. The end of the drum contains'the usualmanhole 1 with its cover plate. But for the presence of the novel apparatus comprismg this invention,the fluid or vapor leaving the steam or other space5 would pass directly to the nozzle 4. Instead, this novel apparatus, though composedof parts all of which are stationary, that is, non-rotative, subjects the escapingfiuid to a rapid whirling action. In consequence: of this rapid whirling action substancesheavier than the fluid are effectively separated therefrom, and, those re-I maining just before the fluid leaves the outlet, are completely separated therefrom.

In the form illustrated in Figs. '1 to 4,"the device or apparatus comprises two main portions, -t0-Wll3! the top member or inverted bowl 6, and the bottom member or tuyere'7. The member 6 is of a size which allows it to be inserted through the manhole. In its top it has an opening 8, preferably of the same size as the nozzle l and ofi'takepipet. Above the opening is an annular seat 9, which receives the lower end of the nipple 10. The latter has its; upper end scarfed. Obvi-, ously the nipple completesthe steam connec tionbetween-themember 6, the nozzle 4 and the ofi'take pipe 4t. Byway of support the member or bowl 6 isprovided with oppositely and 4. The two bolts-12, 12 hang'from thetop ted, arms 11', 11, andare provided with the nuts 12. As will be apparent, the tightening of the nuts 12" serves to raise the bowl 6 and drive the nipple 1O upward into the nozzle 4.

A connection which is both'rigid and tight is Y thus established between the steam purifying device andthe'oiftake pipe. p

The bottom ofthe member 6 contains an;

opening which preferably is considerably larger than the opening 8, and this; opening admits the upstanding tuyere 7 The latter preferably hasits tuyere blades 7 arranged in inclined positions As will be obvious 1 from Fig. 3, the tuyere blades 7 are arranged tangentially with respect to the annu-' lus as a whole, thereby providing the plurality of tangential tuyere openings 7 The top tuyere openings 7 of the member 7 is formed by the circular plate or disk 7a. As will be noted, the disk is of greater diameter than the top of the coni cal tuyere, so that its edges 7?) considerably overhang the bladed portion of the tuyere. The purpose of this will presently be described.

The shape of the interior of the member 6 is of moment. In particular, it is provided with upwardly and outwardly swelling walls 6a, which terminate in the overhanging and relatively flat top 66. At its largest diameter the member (3 is provided with tangential discharge nozzle 14, arranged within the offset or boss 13. By preference a pipe nipple 15 is cast into the part 18, as a continuation of the tangential nozzle 14:.

As well shown in Fig. 4, a drain or waste pipe 16. is connected to the nozzle nipple 15 by a union 16'. The waste pipe 16 may lead downward and terminate with an open end beneath the water level 2 or, as is the rule, the waste pipe is carried out through the end of the steam drum and is there joined to an automatic discharge trap. Such a trap is not shown, as both its construction and operation is well known, and it sufiices to state that the function of the discharge trap is to get rid of the waste water from the steam purifying device and yet prevent the loss of steam through the waste pipe.

An added feature of construction is represented in Fig. 5, and comprises a plurality of slug dump holes at the base of the tuyere 7. Incidentally, Fig. 5 shows how the tuyere is attached to the bottom of the bowl 6.

It should be noted that the bowl 6 is of such depth that the annular opening between the periphery of the disk 7a and the overhanging top 6?) equals or is of slightly greater area than the area or cross sectional capacity of the opening 8. Likewise, the opening between the periphery of the disk or tuyere top 7a and the adjacent wall of the member 6 (the wall 6a of the member 6) is of generous capacity. avoided. r I

The steam from the space 5 enters the interior of the tuyere member and its direct passage being opposed by the tuyere top 7a, the steam of necessity enters the member 6' through the many angular or tangential The overhanging top 71) serves to deflect the streams horizontally. And thus the many tangentially entering streams are caused to impinge the inner surface 6a of the bowl. In this manner the heavier substances are first deposited on the wall 6a and then, due to the whirling action of the steam, are spirally carried upward thereon, caught beneath the overhanging part 66 and peripherally ejected through the nozzle 14- and into the waste pipe 16. The steam thus ridded of the heavier substances (moisture, globules and solids), escapes Thereby a drop of pressure isacross the top 7 a and rising through the opening 8, passes on or upward into the ofltake pipe of the boiler. In this simple manner and by this simple device the steam or other vapor is very efi'ectively purified.

A desirable incident of the structure shown in Figs. 1 to t resides in the performance of the slug dump holes 70 at the base of the tuyere. When a heavy burden of moisture enters the bowl 6 through the tuyereit is for" the most part thrown back into the boiler through the opening 7 c, the burden being too great to be lifted by the upward whirling body of steam within the bowl.

A simplified structure is illustrated in Fig. 6. In that case the inverted bowl or race ring 600 is shallower. Its whole bottom is open, and that bottom is closed by a simple casting 17, containing an annular series or row of angularly positioned tuyeres 18. See Figs. 6 and 7. The. middle portion 17 of the cast, ing is characterized chiefly by the upstanding annular shoulder 17 at the inner margin of the .annular series of rotation-imparting tuyeres. The relation of the overhanging portion 62m to the tuyeres and the upward whirling action of the steam, remains as before described. The center 17 of the bottom member 17 may be bowed upwardly if desired, to further hinder the tendency of the moisture to sweep inward towards the axis of the device along with the steam. As hefore, the peripheral discharge 1 1 is placed directly beneath an annular overhanging shoulder-portion 6. m.

A further modification of the structure, and in some particulars a better construction, is illustrated in Fig. 8. By reason of somewhat increased-depth the bowl is made in upper and lower halves 19 and 20. These are fastened together by a. plurality of bolts 21. The part 19 contains the now familiar central opening 22, the overhanging annular portion 23, and the tangential nozzle opening 24:. The lower part contains a larger opening, and in this is situated the spider 25, having at central hub 26. and the peripheral ring portion 2:7. Obviously, ample steam open,- ings are presented between the. arms of the spider. On the ring 27, I erect the substantially cylindrical tuyere member 28. The blades 28 parallel the axis of the member. They are positioned tangentially and may overlap one another as shown in Fig. 9, form,- ing the many distinct tangential tuyere. openings 28.. The top of the tuyere member is closed bythe now familiar disk. The combined area of the tuyeres 28 somewhat exceeds the area of the opening 22. Nevertheless the incoming steam is eifectively whirled outward against the inner walls of the members 20 and 19, and the heavier substances being caught beneath the annular overhang 23, are ejected through the opening 24.

It is not always that the flow of steam through the outlet 22 sufficient to engender a velocity through the tuyres adequate to completely effect a separation of the heavier 7 connected. In that instance, the oiftake pipe of the boiler is obviously of greater size than needed, and the movement of steam through the boiler nozzle is relatively slow. This presents a difficulty in separation which must be obviated To this end I equip the tuyere with an adjustable member 30. This'is illustrated in Fig. 8, and may be mounted on the central stem 31, held in the hub 26. The disk or member 30 reaches from side to side of the tuyere, and by moving it up or down the effective or active length of thetuyeres 28 may be varied. In that manner, it becomes possible to quickly adjust a steam purifying device of necessarily fixed size and make it suit the peculiar load demands on the boiler.

Not every construction of my invention can be illustrated herein, and as other constructions will immediately become obvious to those skilled in the art, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those herein shown. 7 r j Having thus described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent f 1. A centrifugal fluid purifying device comprising an inverted bowl having a cen-' tral outlet opening in its top, also a peripheral discharge nozzle, in combinationwith a multiple tangentiah tuyere member rising within said bowl and having a fluid admission opening in its bottom and adapted to whirlingly direct all of the'fluid outwardly within the bottom of said bowl. 7

2. A centrifugal fluid purifying device comprising an: inverted bowl having a smaller central outlet opening in its top, also a peripheral discharge nozzle, in combination with a multiple tangential tuyere member of smaller diameter than the bowl and rising within and from the bottom of said bowl, said member having a fluid admission opening in its bottom and being closed at the r said bowl and adapted to whirlingly direct the fluid into the same.

d. A centrifugal steam purifying device comprising an inverted bowl having a small central outlet opening in its top and a pcripheral discharge. nozzle, in combination with a multiple tangential tuyere member having a central fluid member, an adjustable top for said member, and means for adjusting said top.

5. A centrifugal steam purifying device comprising an inverted bowl having a central steam outlet in its top and provided with a peripheral discharge nozzle directly below said outlet, in combination with an annular series of inclined blades forming tuyeres positioned at and rising within the bottom of said bowl and serving to direct the steam.

whirlingly outward within said bowl, and

means at the top of said tuyeres preventin the passage of steam axially through sai bowl from bottom to top. 6. A centrifugal steam purifying device comprising an inverted bowl having a smaller central steam outlet in its top and provided with a. peripheral discharge nozzle directly below said outlet, in combination with an annular series of inclined blades forming tuyeres positioned at the bottom of said bowl and serving to direct the steam whirlingly outward within said bowl, means at the top of said tuyeres preventing the pas sage of steam axially through said bowl from bottom to top, and the lower part of thedevice being provided with slug dump openings at the outer periphery of the annular series of blades.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 1st day of December, A. D.

CHARLES GILBERT HAWLEY.

top, and thus adapted to direct the fluid out- I wardly within said bowl and toward said nozzle. 7

3. A centrifugal fluid purifying device comprising an inverted bowl having a smaller central outletopening in its top, also V a peripheral discharge nozzle, in combination with a multiple tangential tuyere member rising within said bowl and of smaller diameter than the bowl, said member having a central fluid admission opening in 'its bottom,

.while topped by an overhanging deflecting plate, said tuyere rising from the bottom of lhu 

